[Kink]

So the XE is not exactly a new idea for the firm. They last attempted to cut into the small premium market in 2001 with the X-Type, it was a disaster. Here's the story...

With the X-Type Jaguar was predicting sales of 100,000 units per year on the back of poaching clients from the German luxury giants. While the X-Type was the best selling Jaguar during its lifetime sales were an unmitigated disaster. X-Type peaked at 50,000 units annually in 2003, just half of its forecast. To put that in perspective, sales in the US during 2005 totaled 10,941 a nearly 50% drop off from 2004's 21,542. During that same 2005 BMW sold 109,950 3 series, Mercedes moved 60,658 C-classes and Audi shuttled out 48,922 A4's.

Now many of the X-Types struggles could be atrributed to poor design and engineering decisions, like the monospec petrol 6 cylinder coupled to AWD, while rivals were offering a selection of diesel and petrol with the option for AWD, RWD standard.

Now I'm fullt expecting Jaguar to avoid these pitfalls this time around, but hey precedent is precedent right...

 

[Winger]

Here's hoping that Jaguar learnt its lessons from that experience. I looked this X-type up on google and found some images.

It appears that they thought having those double headlights on each side was enough design to not have to do anything else with the rest of the vehicle.

2004's model looks a bit better but its really the same thing.

I just hope that Jaguar channels the F-Type in the XE. I think that Jaguar did well in competing with the Germans with the F-Type.

 

[Klinton]

The X type front fascia is very dated as we can all see from the referred pictured. One might dream of the XE having similarities in terms of looks but I doubt that will be the case. If anything we will see the signature front grille to carry over but that might just be it.

 

[1XEJon]

I owned an X-Type, it was a very good car, was faultless, did everything asked of it, in comfort and luxury, at a price that was at the lower med end of lower spec cars, the X-Type was given the stigma of being a Mondeo in disguise, shame then that many were not aware that the X-Type was in development first, and the Mondeo was due to be launched AFTER the X-type, but as per usual, Ford screwed it up and the lack of sales for X-Type were expected.

Also, Ford FAILED to invest in the X-Type during its lifetime, hence the lack of updates, Ford should not have gotten hold of Jaguar, as they did very little to the brand, The S-Type was also another flop, and in the UK, was launched the same day as Rover's 75, and balls up of that launch, meant the S-T was over looked from day one.

The reason the X-T was canned, well, again thats down to Ford and them wanting huge sums of money from TATA/JLR for the IP that was being used, and indeed is still being used in the current XF.

If Ford had launched the X-Type first and given it decent engines and set up s from day one, things could have been far different, TATA, has proven that by leaving JLR to get on with the running of the company, they can and have indeed repaid that faith ten fold.

 

[Kink]

I owned an X-Type, it was a very good car, was faultless, did everything asked of it, in comfort and luxury, at a price that was at the lower med end of lower spec cars, the X-Type was given the stigma of being a Mondeo in disguise, shame then that many were not aware that the X-Type was in development first, and the Mondeo was due to be launched AFTER the X-type, but as per usual, Ford screwed it up and the lack of sales for X-Type were expected.

Also, Ford FAILED to invest in the X-Type during its lifetime, hence the lack of updates, Ford should not have gotten hold of Jaguar, as they did very little to the brand, The S-Type was also another flop, and in the UK, was launched the same day as Rover's 75, and balls up of that launch, meant the S-T was over looked from day one.

The reason the X-T was canned, well, again thats down to Ford and them wanting huge sums of money from TATA/JLR for the IP that was being used, and indeed is still being used in the current XF.

If Ford had launched the X-Type first and given it decent engines and set up s from day one, things could have been far different, TATA, has proven that by leaving JLR to get on with the running of the company, they can and have indeed repaid that faith ten fold.

I disagree that Ford did little for the brand. They offered Jag a lifeline, I'm of the opinion that without FoMoCo there would be no Jaguar...

 

[1XEJon]

Well, thats where we will disagree, I have had tours of the plants an they were all in an awful state, TATA has invested hundreds of millions in the plants, yes Ford did put money in, to a failed F1 project that took millions from Jaguar funds, they did not update the X-Type until near the end of its life, the S-Type was a failure from day one, and even at the end it struggled to sell ANY units.

The XJ was its only lifeline along with the XK8, but for the two models that were to keep Jag afloat, Ford did nothing to speak of.

 

[Kink]

Well, thats where we will disagree, I have had tours of the plants an they were all in an awful state, TATA has invested hundreds of millions in the plants, yes Ford did put money in, to a failed F1 project that took millions from Jaguar funds, they did not update the X-Type until near the end of its life, the S-Type was a failure from day one, and even at the end it struggled to sell ANY units.

The XJ was its only lifeline along with the XK8, but for the two models that were to keep Jag afloat, Ford did nothing to speak of.

yes, but my point being where would of Jaguar been without Ford, the models may of been poor but Jag needed resources. I don't pretend to be an expert but after ford bought Jag the cars stopped trying to kill you and were at least functional, despite being uninspired.

That $2.9 Billion Ford injected into the company certainly went a long way in developing the XK8, I mean how else were they going to produce it, on hopes and dreams

I'm just saying that with out the cash injection in 90, regardless of its outcome and use, there would not be a jaguar today without Ford then...

 

[1XEJon]

Some truth there, we will never know what would have become of Jaguar without Ford, maybe another manufacturer might have stepped in, and give Jag the stability it needed at that time, Now however, it can sit easily on its own, yes TATA are pumping in money, but profits are flowing back at an increased rate, so its horses for courses, once the new cars that are in varying stages of completion, are released, it will back to the LR brands.

Once the new LR2 or Discovery 2 will be laucnched there is just the Defender to launch and then its all go for Jaguar, so, what does that mean, XE - four variants, XF - four variants - XJ - 2 variants - F-Type all done for now.

JLR are in a better position than at ANY time in its history, cars that people worldwide want, reliability that was unheard of back in the day, profits that were missing for decades, and a future that is very very rosy indeed.

I just cant wait for June 2015..... the count down begins.....

 

[andyxe]

I think you both make valid points, Ford went a long went to start restoring Jaguars reputation for reliability, which was at rock bottom, but did they put enough into development of the X-Type -- No, I owned one for many years and dad no problems whatsoever, it looked like a mini XJ, that's why I wanted one,


Ford put all the money into developing the XF, makes you wonder if they sold to early?

 

[1XEJon]

The definately sold way too early, if you look at the XF only, but, if Ford had not sold, I very much doubt that the Stunning Evoque would have ever been made, or the XJ in its current look, I fear that Ford would have been to scared to change the retro look of the XJ, for fear of alienating the ageing owner base.

TATA have taken some risks and so far they have ALL paid off handsomely.

 

[andyxe]

/\ /\ Ditto /\/\

 

[Kink]

No I dont think ford sold too early. The split has been mutually beneficial to both companies. I'm glad ford sold that entire premier auto group when they did just before the mael storm of 08, Honestly its the only reason they were able to keep the damage to a minimum.

Plus if they did still own the PAG, too many funds would of been diverted and we would not of had a focused ford and their one ford strategy....

Plus, would ford of supported building the F-Type? Would Ian Callum still be around if he was stuck with bureaucratic ford... questions we wont know. At a time the marriage was right for both because of certain circumstances, but the divorce was better for both parties, just look at the kids